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The status of religions other than your own:
exclusivism, pluralism, & inclusivism

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Overview:

According to David Barrett et al, editors of the "World Christian Encyclopedia: A comparative survey of churches and religions - AD 30 to 2200," there are 19 major world religions which are subdivided into a total of 270 large religious groups, and many smaller ones. 34,000 separate Christian groups have been identified worldwide. 1

These religions and faith groups teach very different belief systems. This naturally raises the question of where religious truth is to be found. To many believers, particularly religious conservatives, religious truth is of paramount importance. They believe  that one must be saved by embracing the truth before being eligible to avoid Hell and attain Heaven after death.

Many people regard their own denomination or faith group within their own religion to possess total religious truth; other denominations are seen to exhibit some error; other religions are often considered to be in serious error and are sometimes viewed as in opposition to the truth.

There are three main methods of viewing other denominations and religions:

bulletExclusivism: One's own group possesses the truth; other religious groups are in serious error, and place the latter's membership in grave peril regarding salvation.

In recent years, some theologians have objected to the term "exclusivism" because of its negative connotation. They prefer the term "particularism" Within Christianity, this belief system takes two main forms:
bulletAgnostic Particularism: Salvation is attained through belief in Christ alone as Lord and Savior. However, it may be possible for those who have not heard of Christianity, the Gospel or Jesus Christ to be saved and attain Heaven after death.
bulletTraditional Particularism: Salvation is attained only through an explicit knowledge and faith in Christ. The vast majority of humans -- even those who have never heard of Jesus -- will spend eternity being tortured in Hell
bulletInclusivism: One's own group possesses the truth; other religious groups contain parts of the truth. The latter's believers are less likely to be saved.
bulletPluralism: All group's beliefs and practices are equally valid, when interpreted within their own culture. Salvation is for all.

Unfortunately, the term "religious pluralism" has other unrelated meanings. The main one is as a synonym for religious diversity: the fact that there exists a variety of religious beliefs in a given country or other geographic area. Thus, religious pluralism in North America -- in the sense of the U.S. and Canada being religiously diverse -- is a statement of fact. But only a minority of North Americans believe in the other meaning of "religious diversity:" that all religious are equally valid.

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Topics covered in this section:

bulletThe diversity of meanings of the term "religious pluralism"
 
bulletConflicting quotations. How groups cope with religious diversity
 
bulletConflicts involving religious pluralism
 
bulletConflicts involving religious exclusivism
 
bulletInterpretations of John 14:6: one of the most quoted verses in the Bible about non-Christian religions
 
bulletChristians' beliefs about other religions
 
bulletCan non-Catholics be saved, according to the Roman Catholic church?

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Reference used in the above essay:

The hyperlinks below were used to prepare the above essay, but are not necessarily still valid today.

  1. David B. Barrett, et al., "World Christian Encyclopedia : A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World," Oxford University Press, (2001). Read reviews or order this book

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Site navigation:

Home Religious Info. Basic Info. > here

or HomeChristianity > History, beliefs... > here

 or HomeChristianity > Groups > here

or HomeChristianity > Relationships to other religions > here

 or HomeSpirituality > Religious tolerance > here

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Copyright © 2001 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2001-MAY-20
Latest update: 2008-MAY-13
Author: B.A. Robinson

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